ALS Walk tops $100k in donations

The University of La Verne hosted the annual Walk to Defeat ALS with an estimated 1,200 walkers Sunday.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, is a debilitative disease that causes muscle weakness and the gradual loss of motor skills over several years.

“It’s a very tough disease, you lose your motor skills and it hits you so quick and there’s no recovery so once you get it, it’s sort of like a life sentence,” said senior Phi Delta Theta member Michael Wahba.

“So we just want to raise money and bring awareness of it to La Verne.”

ALS, also referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease, was brought to international and national attention after former Yankees baseball legend, Lou Gehrig, retired immediately after being diagnosed with the disease.

This weekend, 66 teams walked to support family members, friends and co-workers that have been affected by ALS.

“Our fundraising goal this year was $100,000 and as of right now we’re at $99,000 and that doesn’t include any of the money that was turned in today,” said walk coordinator Jamie Aronson on Sunday morning. “So I think we will make it past our goal which is amazing.”

Jules’ Angels team captain Julianne Angel was diagnosed with ALS in 2008 and has participated in the walk every year since.

Phi Delta Theta member Michael Wahba made a deal that included walking part of the route in high heels if he raised at least $500 by Sunday.

“It was really great because it started sort of a competition within the group,” Wahba said.

“Everyone has a mission, everyone has their own philanthropy, I guess, and this is ours and every year we just want to keep making sure that we keep spreading it to people so that they are aware of it,” said senior Phi Delta Theta member Mason Sustayta.

“It’s important because it takes people’s lives, it takes people’s abilities and if we can cure it we can help.”